Process and apparatus for the treatment of rayon packages



Sept. 3, 1940. P, KRlEK 2,213,366

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR THE TREATMENT OF RAYON PACKAGES Fil y 8, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 2,213,366 PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR THETREATMENT 0F RAYON PACKAGES Sept. 3, 1940.

P. P. KRIEK Filed May 18, 1938 2 Shets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept. 3,.19 40 UNITED STATES rnocess AND APPARATUS ron, THE

TREATMENT OF RAYON PACKAGES Peter P. Kriek, Enka, N. 0., assignor to American Enka Corporation, Enka, N. 0., a corporation of Delaware Application May 18, 1938, Serial No. 208,672

7 Claims.

This invention relates to expanding mechanism for use in the handling of thread or yarn packages and to a process in which expanding mechanism is utilized. More particularly the invention is directed to an apparatus adapted for use in the insertion of a support in normally convolutions of yarn. The present invention is go vwell adapted for expanding, reforming and inserting supports for such previously deformed packages. Regardless ofwhether the deforming step is employed, when .the packages are dried, the inner convolutions of yarn have a tendency to fall and become entangled.- Because of this and other objectionable character. istics ofdried internally unsupported yarn packages, the handling of such packages after the drying operation is both difficult and ineificient, so In view of the somewhat loose and entangled condition in which-the yarn forming the inner convolutions of many of the packages is left after the drying operation, difiiculties are often experienced in providing the packages with intemal supports or bobbins such as are utilized 1 in rewinding or coningoperations.

Aside from the desirability of internally supporting the yarn packages during the coning period, the need for providing each of the packages with an internal support is present during transportation of the same within the manufacturing plant, as the jolting and jarring to which the dry packages are subjected during transportation is such that the relatively loose inner convolutions of yarn are further distorted and disarranged.

To obviate the difliculty heretofore encountered, it is proposed by this invention to provide a means for and a process by which a support may be inserted within a preferably deformed, normally internally unsupported yarn package subsequent to the drying thereof in a manner to avoid a displacement of the inner convolutions of yarn. This invention contemplates a method and apparatus by which an expansible support may be inserted within an artificial silk package in contact with the inner convolutions of yarn for the purpose of maintaining the latter in position.

, It is another object of this invention to provide 5 a process which involves the extension of the thread-free interior of a dry package of yarn to permit the insertion therein of a rolled support member and the expansion ofthe rolled support in a manner to urge loose convolutions of yarn 10 outwardly and thereby to avoid undesirable slack therein. The invention further contemplates the provision of mechanical expanding apparatus toextend the thread-free interior of respective packages, which; apparatus permits 15 the insertion of a support member within a package in such a manner that the support may be retained within the package while the expander is removed, whereupon the expander may be utilized to again extend the interior of the 2 package and cause the support to assume a position more closely adjacent the inner convolutions of yarn. o I A further specific object of the invention is to reform into a round shape an artificial silk pack- 25 age that has been deformed in a previous stage of processing for the purpose of eliminating shrinkagevariations in the finished yarn. In such a case the size of the opening in the center of the package is considerably reduced from what it was when the package was first wound and it is desirable that this opening be restored to its original size as much as possible. The apparatus described below is well adapted to this reopening ,of the deformed or collapsed package.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein: A 40 Figure 1 is a front elevation of an expanding apparatus constructed in accordance with this invention;

Figure 2 is, a top plan view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an end view of a deformed unsupported package with an expanding means shown therein in retracted position;

Figure 4 is an end view of a package of yarn 50 with the means therein radially expanded and surrounding a rolled support;

Figure 5 is a'sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Figure 4;; Figure 6 is a sectional view of the package with a support therein in operative relation after the completionvof one expanding operation;

Figure 7 is a sectional view showing the package 'and apparatus at the beginning of the second expansion with the package, preferably in inverted position;

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7 with the package and apparatus in the position attained at the completion of the second expansion; and

Figure 9 is an end view of the package in the form attained after subjection to two expansion operations.

Referring now to the drawings in detail and especially toFigures 3-9 inclusive in which the various steps of the process constituting a part of this invention are shown, in Figure 3 the numeral I0 designates a wound artificial silk package which has been deformed either prior to, or during the drying operation with the result that the convolutions of yarn defining the area of its thread-free interior are substantially collapsed in a soft and fluffy condition. Positioned within this thread-free interior are a series of movable fingers I I extending up through its central hollow portion, said fingers being adapted to move radially and force outwardly the inner convolutions of yarn. In Figure 3 these fingers are shown in retracted position, and their upper ends v substantially come together. In Figure 4 the fingers II are shown in radially expanded position in vertically parallel relationship. Within the circle described by said fingers there is positioned a coiled support I2 which may be of fiber board or other material of sufficient stiffness and resiliency to uncoil itself and thus frictionally engage the yarn between the fingers I I. In Figures 5 and 6 the packages are shown after the described expansion operation has been completed. Figure 5 shows the package and support while still on the expanding apparatus, and Figure 6 after the package and support have been removed from the fingers II. 'In this condition the packages supported by the fibrous support member I2 have assumed their unrolled position permitted by the removal of the fingers and the resistance offered by the yarn.

Following the initial expansion of the package as shown in Figures 3-6 inclusive, the package and support may be inverted and again placed over the fingers II as shown in Figure '7 for a further expansion operation. In this further expansion operation, however, the support I2 and the hollow portion of package III both surround the fingers I I and consequently upon radial expansion of the latter, the fiber support I2 will be more firmly pressed against the inner convolutions of the yarn of package III. The position of the support and the interior contour of the package after the second expansion are shown in section in Figure 8 and in plan in Figure 9.

It will be noted that at the termination of the first expansion of the fingers I I as shown in Figure 4, the interior of the package is substantially cylindrical, but may be given slightly the contour of the frustrum of a cone. This is because of the positioning of the fulcrum of the fingers II together with the more or less inherent fiexibility of the fingers as will hereinafter more fully appear. By inverting the package and subjecting the same to the second expansion, the pressure will be such that the thread-free interior of the package III will assume a more exactly cylindrical contour. 4

It will be clear that the inner convolutions of yarn in the packages as shown in Figure 6 and particularly in Figure 9 are extended in a manner similar to that had after the initial winding operation and therefore during the coning operation' the yarn is wound off without entanglement and incident rupture even throughout the inner convolutions of yarn.

The apparatus used in carrying out the process heretofore described is shown in its preferred form in Figures 1 and 2. Fingers II which constitute the expanding means positioned within the thread-free interior of the yarn package in carrying out the process are supported on an annular plate I3 which, also acts as a fulcrum and which is suitably fastened at II to the cylinder I5 of a fluid operated telescope type jack I6 which is provided with a base I! resting on a support I8 which support I8 is a cross member running between the legs I9 of table 20. Table 20 is provided with a top 2I which has a central recess at 22 through which the fingers ll extend. Ra-

- dially positioned around the annular opening 22 are a series of adjustable set screws 23 which support a spider 24 which in turn supports the lower surface of the package during the expanding treatment heretofore described. Beneath the top of the table 20 and between the same and the annular support plate I3, there are a series of toggle links 25 suitably fastened to the fingers II which are operatively connected to the innermost piston 26 of jack l6, thus when jack I6 is extended in response to fluid pressure, piston 26 actuates toggle links 25 which in turn radially expand fingers II and when pressure is released from jack I6 piston 26 falls in response to gravity and fingers I I are retracted. To control the operation of jack I6, there is provided a two-way valve 21 which selectively permits fluid to flow into jack I6 through conduit 28 and permits exhaust therefrom through conduit 29. Valve 2'! is controlled by a single throw lever 30 operably connected at 3| to a treadle 32.

As is clearly shown in Figure 2, spider 24 not only acts to support package III but also functions as a guide for fingers II as they are subjected to radial movement and may be used to lift off the package after the expansion is completed. The dotted lines indicate the position of the fingers when retracted and the solid lines the location thereof in extended position.

In carrying out the process of the present invention by utilizing the apparatus above described, the unsupported package is placed over the upstanding fingers II until its lower edge comes to rest on spider 24 and the fingers are moved radially outwardly. Thereafter, coiled support I2 is inserted within the cylinder defined by the upstanding fingers I I. At the time coiled support I2 is placed in this position, it is biased to a point such that it will seek to unroll itself. Thus, it is that coiled support I2 in an eifort to become unbiased will unwind and abut the inner convolutions of thread between the fingers I I.

This completes the first expansion, and at this time the thread-free central portion of package I0 is generally cylindrical in contour. The package III is then lifted off the machinery. Since the fingers II are-no longer in engagement with the inner convolutions of the thead, the coiled support I2 continues to become unbiased and in so doing, more closely engages the inner convolutions of thread which define the generally thread-free interior of the yarn package I0.

At this point, it will be'seen that the previously unsupported package is supported by a relatively stifi cone of fiber board or other suitable material 7| and is in condition for transportation. However, due to the particular positioning of the fulcrum 0f the levers constituting fingers I I and the positioning of the toggles 25 thereon together with the generally inherent flexibility of fingers Ii the inner contour of the now supported package may be slightly frustro conical. Should it be desired to obviate this condition and to insure an even better placement of the coiled support I! against the inner convolutions of thread of package l0, the package may be inverted and again placed over fingers II, the latter being in a retracted position. When these fingers are thereafter again expanded radially, the contour of the hollow portion of package I0 assumes a more exactly conical shape and the coiled support is even more firmly pressed against the inner convolutions of thread defining the central thread-free interior of the package.

During the course of the foregoing operation when it is desired to move the fingers ll outwardly, pressure is applied to the treadle 32 which opens valve 21 permitting fiuid under pressure from any suitable source to flow through conduit 28 and thus into jack l6 which will raise piston 26 to which toggle links 25 are connected and toggle links 25 will cause the fingers II to move.

- When pressure is released, piston 26 falls and the fingers assume their retracted position.

It is intended that the present application shall cover packages of artificial silk produced either by the bobbin process or the centrifugal bucket spinning method, as the instant process and apparatus are applicable to any type of package that of necessity must be expanded for the insertion of an internal support.

WhatIclaim is:

1. A process of preparing a deformed, dry, internally unsupported wound package of yarn for handling conditions in which a support is required for efiicient operation to prevent displacement and entanglement of the inner fiuffy convolutions of yarn comprising reforming the inner convolutions of yarn by radially applying an extending force to the convolutions of yarn defining the thread-free interior of a wound yarn package, inserting a core within the thread-free interior of the package while said convolutions are extended to a size substantially equal to the normal round circumference of the innerm st convolutions of yarn, permitting an adjustme t to take place between the core and the convolutions of yarn and then applying equalizing radial pressure within the core whereby the latter is given uniform diameter and the yarn convolutions assume normal circumferences and are maintained substantially freeof tangles during winding-01f and other handling operations. 7 2. A process of preparing a dry internally unsupported wound package of yarn for handling conditions in which a support is required for efile cient operation to prevent displacement and entanglement of the inner fiufi'y convolutions of yarn comprising radially applying an extending force to the convolutions of yarn defining the thread free interior of a wound yarn package, inserting a rolled support biased outwardly within the thread free interior of the-package while said convolutions are extended to a size substantially equal to the normal circumference of the innermost convolutions of yarn, permitting an adjustment to take place between the rolled support and the convolutions of yarn and then applying equalizing radial pressure within the core whereby the latter is given a uniform diameter, and the yarn convolutions assume normal circumferences and are maintained substantially free of tangles during winding-oil and other handling operations.

3. A process of preparing a dry internally unsupported wound package of yarn for handling 1 conditions in which a support is required for efficient operation to prevent displacement and entanglement of the inner fiufly convolutions of yarn comprising radially applying an extending force to the convolutions of yarn defining the thread free interior of a wound yarn package, inserting a rolled support biased outwardly with the thread free interior of the package while said convolutions are extended to a size substantially equal to the normal circumference of the innermost convolutions of yarn, permitting an adjustment to take place between the rolled support and the convolutions, of yarn, inverting the package, and then applying equalizing radial pressure within the core whereby the latter is given a uniform diameter and the yarn convolutions assume normal circumferences and are maintained substantially free of tangles during winding-off and other handling operations.-

4. An apparatus for increasing the diameter of the thread free interior of wound yarn packages to permit the insertion of generally central supports therein comprising a base adjacent which a package having thread free interior is positioned, means extending beyond the base adapted to extend into the thread free interior of the package when it is in position against the base and means for expanding the extending means for effecting the distension of the inner convolutions of yarn defining the thread free interior of the package-said extending means when expanded being constructed to receive a rolled support'which engages the said inner convolutions whereby when the extending means is removed from the thread free interior of the package the support will be retained in the package by friction.

5. An apparatus for increasing the diameter of the thread free interior of wound .yarn packages to permit the insertion of generally central supports therein comprising a base adjacent which a package having thread free interior is positioned, a plurality of radially movable fingers extending beyond the base adapted to extend into the thread free interior of the package when it is in position against the base and means for moving outwardly the extending fingers for effecting the distension of the inner convolutions of yarn defining the thread free interior of the package, said extending fingers when. expanded being constructed to receive a rolled support which engages the said inner convolutions whereby when the extending means is removed from the thread free interior of the package the support will be retained in the package by friction.

6. An apparatus for increasing the diameter of the thread-free interior of wound yarn packages to permit the insertion of central supports therein comprising abase adjacent which a package having a thread free interior is positioned, a plurality of radially movable upstanding fingers extending beyond the base adapted to extend into the thread-free interior of the package when it is in position against the base and means for moving the extending fingers for effecting the distension of the inner convolutions of yarn defining the thread-free interior of the package, said extending fingers when expanded being constructed to receive a rolled support which engages the said inner convolutions whereby when the extending fingers extending beyond the base, means for automatically radially extending the fingers until they are substantially parallel and means for retracting the fingers to an initial position such that they are out of parallel relationship and substantially closed at their apex.

PETER P. KRIEK. 

